CAPE TOWN - They’re at work before the crack of dawn and long after most others have gone to bed.
While waste pickers may be viewed as an irritation by some, they sure are making a difference to the environment.
“We just want respect, we don't bother anyone but we are constantly harassed by security guards who chase us away from the bins or tell us not to sit on the benches that are open to the public,” said Nathan Mampies, a waste picker, or waste reclaimer, who operates from the CBD.
It is estimated that South Africa has at least 215 000 waste pickers, and according to the Resources, Conservation and Recycling open journal, most of the approximately 46% of plastic that was collected for recycling in 2018 probably came from informal waste reclaimers.
“It's more like a race instead of a competition. One wants to be faster than the other, and the other one wants to be earlier than the rest,” said 23-year-old Peter Leguma who scours the CBD along with his brother Junior Leguma.
“Some people don't sleep and stay awake the whole night.”
The brothers need to be up at 4am to ensure they get the best out of the bins.
They collect cans, boxes, paper, newspapers, copper, brass and aluminium.
“We look for things that can be recycled just to get us through the day, but copper and cans is where the money is,” said Peter.
Copper is R40 a kilogram and paper and boxes are calculated at R1 a kilogram.
The money they receive is used to buy food and drugs, and if the money they receive is not enough, they go out to collect again, he said.
The brothers explained that it was important to compress the air from the cans, to add more weight which means more money.
According to them they make an honest living by scratching in bins instead of hurting innocent people and robbing or stealing.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) notes that recyclable waste that is collected through formal municipal waste services will most likely go directly to landfill, which is the primary waste management solution in South Africa.
However, before the waste is collected by the municipal waste collection service (if such a service is being provided), informal waste pickers do the rounds early in the day to collect recyclable materials directly from the kerbside wheelie bins.
They also collect from landfills.
Shulfiah Mohammadi has been living on the streets for 18 years.
Speaking from the streets of the Cape Town CBD, she said her main aim was looking for recyclables and cans, which are at the top of the market, as they have the most value of R7 a kilogram.
“When it is hot, that is the time you find the most cans because many people are drinking cooldrinks.
“The competition is hectic here in town, it is best to operate on your own because people get jealous when they see you constantly having money then they will try and sabotage you,” said Mohammadi.
The 42-year-old, originally from Athlone, said she sometimes finds good quality vegetables in the bins, especially near stalls that sell fruit and vegetables.
She then sells these vegetables or uses them to cook.
Mohammadi added that she does not have a specific area where she operates, it just depends on where she finds herself walking that day.
“People who live in houses go out to work to earn an income. It is the same with us, the only difference is they are inside and we are outside,” she said.
In 2018, Plastics SA reported that the majority of recyclable plastic collected was sourced from formal collectors.
These formal collectors usually source their recyclable material from waste pickers.
Vice-president of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), Mpendulo Ginindza, said whether waste pickers worked in a rural or urban environment, the fact remained that this was no easy job.
“They are the first people on the road early in the morning. They sort through bins and carry the heavy waste on their trolley. Often, they don’t have the proper equipment and environmental conditions are not safe. Not to mention what they come across in the bins.”
Ginindza said people could also assist by making life easier for waste pickers.
“Start by separating your waste at home and at work. Avoid putting dangerous or hazardous items that they may come across when looking for recyclables in your bins. And of course, be more tolerant and patient on the road or on the street the next time you meet a waste picker at work.”